Akwa Ibom Gov’t Enlists Support Of Religious Leaders For Continuous Peace

Akwa Ibom State government has renewed its call on religious leaders and faith based organisations to partner with the administration in its determination to rid the state of cultism and other forms of criminality in order to make the state an investor’s haven and a safe place for residents.

The state governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel made the call during his interaction with the Fathers of Faith, who called on him under the aegis of Spiritual Fathers’ Forum, Akwa Ibom State, on Tuesday, November 24, 2020, at Government House, Uyo.

Governor Emmanuel, who decried the upsurge in cultism among youths particularly in secondary schools in the state, pointed out that cult activities have given rise to heinous crimes which cannot be tolerated in an otherwise peaceful state.

Read Also: Mbang, Oku Ibom Ibibio Score Gov Emmanuel High On Peace, Performance

“I want to thank you for the support in the war against cultism, let me say that every single crime in the state is from the backdrop of cultism.

“… the armed robbers we arrested last weekend, very young boys and 100 per cent of them confessed to being cultists”, he lamented.

The governor expressed dismay at some well-placed people who incite the youths against government policies and programmes and advised them to redress their steps.

He advised such personalities to serve as role models to the youths, stressing that his administration will not fold it hands and watch few disgruntled elements disrupt the peace being enjoyed in the state.

Read Also: Exterminating Cultism For Peace, Security Of The State

Citing a recent incident where secondary school students blocked the Oron Road axis of the state and disrupted vehicular movement, the governor advised that strayed youths should be shown love to by winning them back to the society, saying that it hurts every parent to see their child go astray.

“As a father, you don’t disown your son because he is recalcitrant, instead you show him love, believing God to give him a new lease of life”, he stated.

Governor Emmanuel reiterated his administration’s resolve to revitalize the educational sector to provide skills and prepare youths for meaningful livelihood.

“We want to declare total war on education so we need the support of the ministers of gospel because we will rejig the curriculum that we are using now and bring in an intermediate education.

“We have refurbished Technical College at Ikot Adaidem which will take on skills in carpentry, plumbing, etc and we are trying to see who we can partner and then we will bring in a new legislation for Nung Ukim to turn it to an intermediate school which will prepare our youths for the proper tech driven ICT-oriented University that we want to run”.

He emphasized his administration’s commitment towards spreading development and laying formidable economic foundation in the state, assuring that roads under construction will be completed before the end of his tenure.

The governor commended the leadership of the Spiritual Fathers’ Forum for uniting the Christian fold and thanked them particularly for prayers and intercession offered to God for peace to reign in the state.

“I really want to thank the fathers of faith for prayers I’ve received, I don’t think any Governor has received such prayers both in and outside Nigeria and by the grace of God we will succeed”, he said.

Earlier, leader of the delegation and chairman, Spiritual Fathers’ Forum, Akwa Ibom State, His Eminence, Prelate Sunday Mbang, lauded the achievements of the state administration as evident in the infrastructural renaissance across the state and thanked the governor for the rejigging of educational curriculum in the state.

Prelate Mbang informed the governor that the forum has thrown its weight behind the state administration in its decision to proscribe cultism, saying that the administration’s decision not to allow a cultist to succeed the present administration or occupy a public office is wholly supported by the forum.

He emphasised that the state cannot be plunged back to the dark days when cultism reigned supreme with its attendant insecurity of lives and property in the state.

“The Fathers of Faith are solidly behind the governor’s decision to proscribe all cult activities in the state and we decree that henceforth no cultists or secret society member must be allowed to hold any elective or appointed position in the state as we do not want to return to the dark and inglorious years where many citizens lost their lives in the state for no just cause,” he stated.

Highpoint of the visit was the presentation of souvenir to Prelate Sunday Mbang, who received it on behalf of the forum.